Stories from the Growing Years by Arleta Richardson, 128 pages

The final book in the Grandma's Attic saga. Mabel and Sarah Jane may be grown up with children of their own, but their lives aren't any less interesting. Exploding beans, bright red children, an unexpected train trip are all part of the fun and trouble they continue to find themselves in.
I was sad to see these books come to an end. One of the things I've enjoyed is the morals and Christian beliefs that run through the books without being preachy. These were good books that any age could enjoy.

New Faces, New Friends by Arleta Richardson, 171 pages

Gossip is soon swirling around North Branch about Mabel and Hudson Curtis, the minister in a neighboring town. Why does he seem to show up whenever she's in town, and was he seen at her house? Mabel learns that the best intentions doesn't always protect you from gossip.

At Home in North Branch by Arleta Richardson, 176 pages

Mabel is happily married to Len, but she soon discovers that being a preacher's wife isn't always smooth sailing.

Nineteen and Wedding Bells Ahead by Arleta Richardson, 156 pages

Mabel is engaged to Len Williams, the town minister, and figures the next year of teaching should be peaceful and calm. But Mabel's life is nothing but filled with unexpected events. A storm, a long-lost will, old history and new rumors combine to give Mabel a year she'll never forget.

A School of Her Own by Arleta Richardson, 173 pages

Mabel is 18 and ready to teach her first school. Between dealing with students, an overbearing father of students, town gossip, and an attraction for the young minister, Mabel may find herself overwhelmed.

Sixteen and Away from Home by Arleta Richardson, 159 pages

Mabel and Sarah Jane are sixteen and ready for high school. There is no high school in their small country town so they go to live with relatives in the big city to attend high school. But now that they are growing up, it doesn't mean that they'll get into any less scrapes.

Treasures from Grandma by Arleta Richardson, 144 pages

Another collection of stories featuring Mabel, her family and friends. This book features gypsies, revenge against a brother, "helping" a classmate, and a lesson in just how expensive a gift of a bookcase can be. My daughters and I have enjoyed these books a ton.

Still More Stories by Arleta Richardson, 157 pages

Reading these books are like discovering brand-new Little House on the Prairie books. Mabel and her best friend Sarah Jane is always getting into trouble, along with Mabel's two older brothers. With such stories of a face cream that goes awry, a surprise party that may surprise the guests more than the birthday girl, a ma who is determined to have a freshly-painted house, and a spelling dog, this is a wonderful treat of a book. My only regret is that our library doesn't have copies of this series. I may have to break down and buy my own set.

More Stories from Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson, 140 pages

This is the second collection of stories in the grandma's attic series. They really remind me of Little House on the Prairie, Mabel is a lot like Laura. This book has stories involving an abandoned and soggy rag doll that comes to life, a stranger come to dinner that pa and ma both think the other knows, and a pig in a baby carriage that scares a new mother. I must say I love inter-library loans. I get to rediscover some of my favorite books from childhood!

In Grandma's Attic by Arleta Richardson, 138 pages

I had the first two or three books in this series when I was a kid, and I saw on Amazon.com that they were re-releasing them. I eagerly requested all of them through inter-library loan and have been enjoying these books, reading them as fast as I can so my kids can read them too. They are basically stories that remind me of Little House on the Prairie. Mabel is the grandma telling stories of growing up in the "old days" with her parents and two older brothers on a farm. With such stories of a birthday cake for Ma that has a surprise flavoring, pa taking an unexpected bath, Nellie the horse making trips to town, and the excitement of one pair of shoes a year, these humorous but moral-teaching stories are a great look back. I may end up buying new copies of these books for my kids (heck, I may keep them for myself).